It is well…with my soul, and Wellness Wednesday

Welcome In the past year, I have started to listen to a lot more spiritually-based music. It really does help to fight my negativity and worry. I’m going to share some of my thoughts about a couple songs today. For Wellness Wednesday, we have a recipe for Classic Chicken Noodle Soup. Thanks for stopping by. Note–I may receive small compensation from advertisers or affiliate links found in this post. For further information, please see my terms and disclosure page.

Food For Thought When I was growing up, one of my favorite hymns we sang at church was It is Well (With My Soul). How could I possibly be worried or scared about anything when I was singing and listening to these lyrics. “When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well…it is well with my soul.” Sadly, as I’ve grown into adulthood, I have lost sight of the meaning of these words. But joyfully, I have rediscovered them recently. I still love the classic hymn, but one of my favorite contemporary Christian songs is Even If by Mercy Me. This song helped me persevere through a very difficult time recently, and the closing of the song borrows the lyrics “It is well, it is well with my soul.” I had a moment of clarity recently when I was listening to this song.

Being an optimist does not come naturally to me. I work on it, because I know it’s better for those around me, as well as my own health. I worry a lot and I can let circumstances of this world get me down. Last week was one of those weeks. The events being covered in the news was horrific. Our household was dealing with some fallout from a personal information leak. My blog traffic was LOW. My husband was sick. Some “old wounds” were opened regarding my previous place of employment. You know, one of those weeks when it feels like nothing is going right. I was driving my daughter to one of her extra curricular activities and heard Even If come on the radio. It’s a favorite for both of us, but on this occasion, I actually was processing what the words were saying from a different perspective. As the closing lyrics played, I thought about my soul. I’m not perfect, I’ve got a lot of hard work to do. But what I do know is it is well with my soul. Enough worrying about what might happen in this crazy world! Enough worrying about my physical body (not that I’m discouraging good health and hygiene.) Enough worrying about income and bank accounts! Enough worrying about pleasing everyone around me-family, “friends,” strangers I’ll never meet! Enough worrying about being “good enough.” Enough dwelling on past mistakes and experiences that bring me down! It is so liberating to say that! And I can say that because IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. In our life, that’s really all that matters. I’m going to love my family with every last breath I have, continue to pray and study God’s word, and share this good news to the best of my ability, but as long as I know that it is well with my soul, I should have nothing left to worry about in this world. Let’s work on that together. Let’s encourage and remind each other that if it is well with our souls, we have had a good day, and a good life!

Today’s Prayer My Dear God, it is well with my soul, and I thank YOU for that! You have given grace beyond measure and sacrificed Your son so I may have salvation. I thank You for those who have taught me and instructed me in Your ways so I can continue to say it is well with my soul. Lord, I ask that You ease my worries and anxiety and continue to remind me of the one true thing that matters. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Suggested Music I really enjoy the Lifer album from Mercy Me, that includes “Even If”, as well as Hillsong Chapel’s version of “It Is Well With My Soul” on their album Forever Reign. (links verified 10/11/17 at 10:40 am, CDT)

Today’s Scriptures How great is that feeling of peace we have when we know it is well with our soul! I have some verses to share today so you can extend that sense of peace.

Job 19:25 “I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”

Isaiah 26:4 “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.”

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

1 John 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”

Today’s Recipe Do you remember when the Chicken Soup for the Soul books were popular. I think some people still read them. I had several different versions of the title, and enjoyed reading all of them. I’m not sure whatever happened to my books. I assume they have been lost in some moves I’ve made through the years. I don’t think it’s ironic that the title refers to chicken soup. There is something deeply comforting about chicken soup, especially homemade soup that has been simmering on the stove with fragrant herbs and vegetables. Research has also shown that chicken soup does in fact have healing properties for the physical body. This dish has the health benefits of spices, onions, red pepper flakes, and a warm, soothing broth. Classic chicken noodle soup is the perfect recipe to prepare and share this week. Our household is fighting off sinus and chest congestion, and the temperature dropped close to 40 degrees yesterday! Fall has definitely arrived, so let’s eat some soup!Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

For the Chicken

3 chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 medium yellow onion, cut in large pieces

1 lemon, sliced

2 bay leaves

1 TBS Penzey’s Garlic Shoots (optional, but great for flavoring soups and broths, they’re the green things in my picture)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp coriander seed

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp dill

Place chicken, onion, lemon slices, and spices in large pot. Cover with water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover with lid. Continue to cook for 15 more minutes. Turn off heat, but keep lid on and allow chicken to “soak in” all of the flavoring.”